We ended our time in Southern California with a full week at Silver Strand State Beach, June 6-June 13. This timeframe worked out great since Justin was off work for most of the week. He was able to bring Isaac and Mona out to us on Tuesday to stay for 3 days/2 nights. This was the first time we’ve had both kids overnight in the motorhome since Mona was a baby.
When we first talked about having both Isaac and Mona at the beach with us at the same time, we started brainstorming sleeping arrangements that would work. When they came separately, we had a great little pop-up tent with stars that we used, but it would NOT be big enough for both of them together. We decided to get a latex 2 inch topper with a full zip cover to add to our queen bed. We will remove it to use for the kids on the floor. Plus there will be no storage issue when they aren’t visiting! I purchased a bronze 5/8″ tension rod (from BedBath & Beyond) to reach across the top of our bedroom closets to put the flat sheet over, clip multiple place with Oxo Chip clips. We pulled the bottom of the sheet out towards our bed and then tucked it perfectly under the topper edge. It made a great roomy tent for both kids. We could still get by between their new bed and ours. The best part was that Isaac and Mona both loved it. They slept really well. This new system should continue to work for several years to come.
Organic Latex 2-inch Topper 
Topper Cover
FORGOT to take a picture of the tent ready for use! 🙁 Next time.
One day We took a long bike ride from the RV area through the passenger tunnels to the paved paths and dirt paths over on the bay side. It was a lot less windy on the bay side. They loved the tunnels. We saw Navy ships across the bay, and the Coronado Bridge.
A cool palm tree. At first I thought it was a bird of paradise that was growing really close to it, but the colors were different, and the blooms are coming up through the middle. I saw a couple additional ones. If you know what it is, please let me know.
We took a different path on the way back. We stopped to check out a couple “art areas” along the way.
Of course we saved the painted pedestrian tunnel for last. Isaac enjoyed discovering how amplified and echoing his voice could be inside the tunnel.
I picked up new sand toys for the kids. They worked great for making sand castles. Mona loved looking for shells to decorate all the castles.
We spent a good part of the days at the beach playing. Thursday the weather was to be better finally, so we set up our beach tent to help “house” us for the day and provide space out of the sun, and for our lunch. That morning there was very little wind. It was awesome to cook bacon, scrambled eggs, and sweet potato home fries. (First time since buying the Blackstone Griddle in May where it hasn’t been windy and chilly!) But by the time we got to the beach, the wind was back! I pretty much stayed inside the tent. Despite his back, Barry played for hours with Isaac and Mona making a full city of sand castles. Isaac and Papa were the architects. Mona was the finishing designer. She loved collecting her decorating shells.
Car track from castle to sand. 
Precise placement. 
The fine sand covered them completely! It took forever getting the sand out of their sweatshirts and sweatpants. The fleece acts as a magnet for the sand. Will dress tomorrow with that in mind. Swimsuits would be much better with a windbreaker.
A city of sand castles complete with roads.
Then it was water time! Isaac LOVES getting into the water and watching the waves come in. His laughter exuded his pure joy. Time with Papa is so special. I’m so glad Barry is able to spend this kind of quality time making memories with the kids!
Special outside shower time! Isaac has used our outside shower at the beach before, but this was a first for Mona. Isaac maintained control of the handheld shower attachment, and was never quite done. They both loved it!
Bonus Activity
One morning we got out their latest Kiwi Koala Crate. This month’s theme was “Playground”. I helped Mona made a teeter-totter with some wood animals of varying sizes. It was a great problem solving toy to make the see-saw (teeter-totter) balanced. Then Isaac and I made a maze on our porcelain tile floor using the provided tape (similar to painter’s tape). It was fun to walk through or push the supplied inflatable ball, a toy of any kind, or a car through it. The third activity in the crate I decided to save for another time. After all we are at the beach, and want to get dressed and outside.
What a fun time it has been! Isaac and Mona have been great, and ate really well while here with us, so they earned ice cream after dinner. (That’s the rule when with Nana and Papa–No fussing about what Nana fixes for meals, and they eat it. And, if there is a vegetable they have to consume at least one bite.) We would definitely do this again!
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